It was day of unforseen moments, the kind of hike where peace could not be found. Nearing the half way point on my hike I had to turn around as the NPS (National Park Service) was on the trail ahead using trail buggys and mini earth mover. I noticed a tank on the back of a trail buggy, not sure what was being sprayed I retuned home on the trails I had already traversed. Distracted by life when I returned home I inadvertantly formatted the wrong camera card wiping out a morning of scenic trail views.

Perhaps a lesson, details hold a better view of Nature in her winter form. Rocks painted yellow by Fungus, red Leaves glowing on the trail edges, dried floral bouquets and tiny songbirds. Although the overall view of the winter Forest can be considered bleak there are hidden treasures in plain sight.

The loss of the images made me realize they present only one aspect of winter in the park. Hot Springs National Park is a combination of subtle details to be savored as individual tiles in the mosaic of the sleeping Forest.